Overview

The year abroad degree offers you the exciting opportunity to study electrical, electronic and engineering in a different country.

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The year abroad degree offers you the exciting opportunity to study engineering and also to experience a new country and culture.

The degree covers the same broad range of topics available to students studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering with the added advantage of spending the second year of the degree at The University of Nottingham in Malaysia. This is a purpose-built campus just outside Kuala Lumpur where you will study the same modules as the Nottingham students.

Several members of staff originally from Nottingham are now based in Malaysia making the Department a truly welcoming and familiar environment to work in.

This is a unique Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree.

Year one

The first year is common to all of our courses. This gives you the flexibility to transfer to other courses within the department once you have better knowledge of the different specialist areas. You will gain an understanding of the principles and practices on which all specialisms within electrical and electronic engineering are founded. Through core modules you will study information systems, power and energy, engineering analysis and computer engineering. You will then apply the knowledge you have acquired to the applied electrical and electronic engineering construction project, where you will also gain valuable practical and fault-finding skills. The construction project module takes place through a series of weeklong practical sessions where you have the chance to engage fully in the work you are doing and developing yourself as a professional engineer. Your appreciation of the aspects of science and mathematics, which underpin the subject, will also be enhanced.

Year two

You will continue to improve your understanding of electrical and electronic engineering, and your design skills will be developed through a variety of laboratory-based subjects. This will prepare you to study, in the final years of your course, emerging and advanced technologies usually taught by internationally recognised researchers. Group projects, presentations and seminars enable you to gain the skills and understanding essential for the workplace.

Year three

In year three, you will be able to choose from a range of specialist topics, with flexibility to maintain a broad base or focus on specific technologies. Your individual project forms a major part of the final year. Working in an area of your choosing, you will develop design, analysis, construction and fault-finding skills. Many of these projects support research or development carried out with industry.

Entry requirements

A levels: AAA-ABB including maths and a science or electronics subject plus a third subject (electronics, physics, chemistry or biology preferred) excluding citizenship studies, critical thinking and general studies. Applicants taking A level biology, chemistry and/or physics are also required to pass the practical element of assessment.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)

If you require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you can attend a presessional course at the Centre for English Language Education (CELE), which is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English. Successful students can progress onto their chosen degree course without taking IELTS again.

Modules

Typical year one modules

Information Systems

This module is an introduction to electronic systems and information. It takes a “top down” approach which means you start with the big picture and work towards the more detailed view. You will begin by looking at signals, then analogue/digital systems and then move on to electronic devices and communications systems.

Power and Energy

In this module you will be given an introduction to the fundamental concepts and challenges related to the generation and use of electrical energy, both from traditional and renewable resources, in a world that relies on secure electricity supplies.

Engineering Analysis

You be introduced to the analytical tools that are used to solve the problems engineers encounter. This includes coverage of the required mathematical background and the application of appropriate software tools.

Computer Aided Engineering

In this module you will start to develop one of the key skills for an engineer – that of being able to program. You will gain the skills required to analyse, design and implement solutions to practical engineering problems through the use of computer aided design tools and the development of software based solutions.

Applied Electrical and Electronic Engineering Construction Project

Accounting for one third of the year, this module involves the development of an autonomous vehicle, building on the knowledge acquired within other components of the course. The work will be laboratory based and undertaken in project weeks, providing a break from lectures in each semester.

Typical year two modules

Electronic Processing and Communications

In this module you will study intermediate level electronic analogue circuits and their use within more complex systems. You will also learn about digital design techniques and software tools and communications systems. The final topic that this module covers is the sources and impact of noise and interference – a key topic for any electrical and electronic engineer.

Electrical Energy Conditioning and Control

This module provides an introduction to the underpinning technologies for theconditioning, control and conversion of electrical energy. The topics covered in this module include power electronics, control, electrical machines and renewable energy.

Modelling: Methods and Tools

Electrical and electronic engineerings are often required to analyse and solve the problems they encounter. This module gives you the skills to start modelling these problems yourself and includes the required mathematicalbackground as well as the application of suitable software tools. Some topics covered in this module include analysis techniques for dynamic systems with application to communications and control theory, analysis techniques for digital systems and statistical analysis of signals and data.

Practical Engineering Design Solutions and Project Development

This module acts as a partner to the lecture modules in the second year. It gives you the chance to put your theoretical knowledge into practice through a selected range of activities drawn from the design and development cycle. You will undertake two group projects, one drawn from the power and energy theme the other from the electronics and communications theme.

Contemporary Engineering Themes

This module introduces a variety of themes that are at the forefront of contemporary electrical and electronic engineering systems. The presentations will cover critical technological enablers and breakthroughs and their commercial and socio-economic impact, which drive the engineering research and development process. This provides a broader context for the material covered in the co-requisite modules. The topics covered will vary each year and typical subjects might include:

Smart Grids

Bio-sensing

Medical Electronics

Photonics

Electric Transportation

The Internet of Things

Typical year three modules

Compulsory

Third Year Project

Engineers working in industry usually find that they become involved in extended practical or theoretical projects. This module provides an opportunity for you to work in a similar situation. You’ll indicate your project preferences then work under the supervision of an expert member of staff to write a dissertation on your work and present it publicly. You’ll have weekly individual tutorial with your project supervisor, but otherwise you’ll be expected to work alone.

Business Planning for Engineers

This module introduces a diverse set of topics that a graduate engineer is likely to encounter upon entering employment. You’ll become equipped with the knowledge to be able to write and assess rudimentary business plans and make informed decisions about product and business development. It includes various models, tools and concepts that are common within the business community including: Belbin’s model of team formation, the appropriate use of PEST and SWOT analysis, the basics of marketing, the product life cycle, technology audits, intellectual property, ethics and product design. You’ll have two contact sessions of one hour duration per week. These will be used for formal lectures, individual and group presentations, coursework planning and coursework feedback.

Optional

Control Systems Design

This module enables you to design both analogue and digital controllers for linear single-input single-output systems. You’ll have access to CAD control design packages for evaluating control design. Through three one-hour lectures per week, you’ll cover topics such as: design of analogue controllers using Root Locus Method; closed loop performance and frequency response; microprocessor implementation; practical problems in digital control; design of digital controllers using z-plane techniques and practice with CAD package.

Electronic Design

Through one two-hour lecture per week, this module aims to further your understanding of design techniques for transistor-based analogue circuits, using transistor amplifiers as a vehicle for this. Standard high-frequency models are introduced for transistors. This approach enables amplifier operation to be understood and analysed at all signal frequencies, starting with a review of mid-band operation, followed by low and high frequency operation. Finally the origins and effect of noise in electronic circuits is introduced.

Solid State Devices

This module seeks to develop a detailed understanding of the internal operating mechanisms of semiconductor electronic and opto-electronic devices. You’ll focus on devices based on pn junctions (eg diodes, bipolar junction transistors) and devices based on MOS capacitors (eg memory cells, CCD detectors, MOSFETs). The module will consider how the targeted application for a device impacts upon its design (for example, signal-mixing diodes, power diodes, light-emitting diodes and solar cells are all based upon the pn diode, but provide very different functionality). The characteristics required of these devices will be discussed in relation to their incorporation into appropriate electronic systems. You’ll have two one-hour lectures each week for study of this module, supplemented with example sheets.

VLSI Design

Introducing you to the principles of semi-custom and full custom design of integrated circuits (IC) for digital electronic systems, the module is based around the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit process that is used to fabricate the majority of ICs in production today. The module provides insight into the issues involved in IC design through the analysis of examples based around logic gates. Layout design techniques for CMOS logic gates are covered. You’ll have one two-hour lecture and one two-hour CAD laboratory per week for study of this module.

Fields Waves and Antennas

This module presents and develops the basic analytical, computational and experimental tools used in the study of electromagnetic fields and waves at high frequency. Topics covered include: waves on transmission lines, Maxwell's equations and plane electromagnetic wave propagation, power flow, methods for electromagnetic field computation and an introduction to antennas. You’ll have two one-hour lectures each week.

Telecommunication Electronics

This module covers the design and analysis of electronic systems used in telecommunications particularly wireless devices. Systems covered include: amplifiers, oscillators, phase-locked loops and mixers. You’ll have two one-hour lectures and a two one-hour practical each week to study for this module.

Power Networks

This module provides you with an understanding of power system apparatus and their behaviour under normal and fault conditions. Through a two hour lecture each week, you’ll cover topics such as: concept and analysis of load flow, voltage/current symmetrical components, computation of fault currents, economic optimisation, power-system control and stability, power system protection and power quality.

Electrical Machines

This module provides you with an understanding of the operational characteristics of common electrical machines (dc, ac induction, ac synchronous and stepping). Both theoretical and practical characteristics are covered including: electromagnetic theory applied to electrical machines, principles and structure of dc machines - commutation effects, principles and structure of induction machines, principles and structure of synchronous machines, parameterisation for performance prediction and machine testing and evaluation. You’ll have two one-hour lectures per week, supplemented with practical demonstrations for study of this module.

Digital Communications

This module is an introduction to the operation of modern digital communication systems. During two one-hour lectures each week, you’ll cover topics such as: communication systems, information content and channel capacity, digital modulation techniques, data compression techniques, error-correcting and line coding techniques, digital signal regeneration techniques and system examples.

Energy Conversion for Motor and Generator Drives

Introducing you to the concepts and operating principles of variable speed electric motor drives systems, you’ll use a number of system examples to demonstrate how the drive systems are specified, designed, controlled and operated. You’ll have a two hour lecture each week for study of this module.

Power Electronic Design

Providing an understanding of the operational principles of power electronic converters and their associated systems, this module covers: 3-phase naturally commutated ac-dc/dc-ac converters, capacitive and inductive smoothing - device ratings, dc-ac PWM inverters and modulation strategies, resonant converters, high power factor utility interface circuits and power converter topologies for high power (multilevel). You’ll have two one-hour lectures per week.

Web Based Computing

This module introduces the Java programming language, and the netBeans IDE as tools to develop applications for devices from mobile phones, to the web. You’ll have a one one-hour lecture and a one two-hour laboratory session.

Digital Video Communication Systems

Providing insight into the issues concerned with implementing a practical digital communication system, this module uses digital television as an example of a complex digital system. Topics covered include: encoding, dithering and quantization, data compression techniques, data transmission, modulation techniques and the associated technologies. You’ll spend two hours in lectures and have a one one-hour practical.

Embedded Computing

This module aims to introduce principal generic and distinctive features of embedded computing, and develop practical skills in designing firmware for PIC16 microcontrollers. You’ll have a two hour lecture each week for study of this module.

Providing you with the skills required to commission a complete IT system, this module provides information on network design and implementation, services, security and management of systems. You’ll be introduced to new uses of IT infrastructure (eg VoIP) and spend around one one-hour lecture for study of this module.

Engineering Software: Design and Implementation

Providing you with an understanding of the design patterns and data structures that are in use in modern software packages, you’ll learn to perform critical analyses of complex design tasks and to decompose them into manageable and maintainable parts. In addition, the emergence of parallel programming techniques will be discussed and practical design choices and implementations analysed. You’ll have one two-hour lecture per week.

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result may change for reasons of, for example, research developments or legislation changes. The above list is a sample of typical modules we offer, not a definitive list.

Careers

With the broad range of skills you will acquire from this degree, you will have excellent career prospects in areas as diverse as software development, fibre optic and mobile communications, aerospace technology, automotive systems and renewable energy technologies.

Professional accreditation

This degree has been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Average starting salary and career progression

In 2014, 86% of first-degree graduates in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering who were available for employment had secured work or further study within six months of graduation. The average starting salary was £26,900 with the highest being £32,000.*

* Known destinations of full-time home and EU first-degree graduates, 2013/14.

Careers support and advice

Studying for a degree at The University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take. Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

Fees and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Home students*

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £2,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

* A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

Key Information Sets (KIS)

Key Information Sets (KIS)

DisclaimerThis online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.